Govt keen to promote private participation in national security: minister

The central government is keen to promote public-private partnership in national security as the challenges to homeland security increase, minister of state for home affairs Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said on Tuesday.

Addressing at the 5th Annual International Conference and Exhibition on Homeland Security on ''Industry's role in National Security'', Ahir said the 'Make in India' campaign offered the best opportunity to the industry.

Ahir said the government is taking steps to meet the new security challenges and procuring the latest hi-tech equipment for the security forces.

India being a large country with vast borders besides being densely populated, faces numerous internal and external threats to peace and security, he added.

Israel's ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, was also present on the occasion. The two-day conference is being organised by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).